Paryushanparvadik Parvoni Kathao - Book Summary

This Jain text, titled "Paryushanparvadik Parvoni Kathao" (Tales of the Paryushan and Other Festivals), authored by Amrutkushal Pandit and compiled by Satyasundarvijay, published by Shri Jinshasan Aradhana Trust in Mumbai in 2010, is a collection of narratives and explanations related to significant Jain festivals and observances. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/004573/.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key elements presented in the provided pages:

1. Title and Authorship:

The book is "Paryushanparvadik Parvoni Kathao" (Tales of the Paryushan and Other Festivals).
It is attributed to Amrutkushal Pandit as the author and Muni Satyasundarvijay as the editor.
The book was published by Shri Jinshasan Aradhana Trust, Mumbai, in March 2010.

2. Inspirational and Blessing Figures:

The book receives inspiration and blessings from Acharya Shri Vijay Hemchandrasurishwarji M.S. (known for his profound discourses on renunciation) and Acharya Shri Vijay Ratnasurishwarji M.S. (recognized for the grace of Saraswati).

3. Publisher and Publication Details:

Shri Jinshasan Aradhana Trust, Mumbai, is the publisher.
The book was first published in Samvat 2016 (converted to CE 1969 according to Page #3) by Shravak Bhimsinh Manek. The current edition is a re-publication.
The trust expresses gratitude to the original publisher.
The price of the book is Rs. 65.00.

4. Trust's Mission and Gratitude:

The Shri Jinshasan Aradhana Trust has been actively involved in various activities for the Jain community for 23 years, operating under the guidance of Acharya Shri Vijay Hemchandrasurishwarji M.S.
A significant part of their work involves restoring and reprinting ancient Jain scriptures and texts.
The trust has successfully published over 200 scripture books, distributing 400 copies of each across various Jain organizations and libraries in India.
They aim to revive hundreds of thousands of religious texts to preserve the invaluable heritage of Jain knowledge for future generations.
The trust expresses gratitude to all the pious individuals and Jain Sangh affiliations who have supported their cause.
They also acknowledge the contribution of Muni Shri Satyasundarvijay M.S. for his diligent editorial work, driven by devotion to scripture.

5. List of Supporting Organizations and Individuals:

Pages 6 to 9 feature an extensive list of individuals and Jain Sangh groups who have contributed to the publication of the book as "Shrutoddharak" (revivers of scriptures), "Shrutabhakta" (devotees of scriptures), and "Shrutoshritoddharak" (supporters of scripture revival). This list includes many prominent Jain families and organizations from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Patan, Khambhat, Pune, and other locations.

6. List of Published Works:

Pages 10 to 14 contain a comprehensive catalog of books published by Shri Jinshasan Aradhana Trust. This list is extensive, spanning over 140 titles, covering a wide range of Jain philosophical texts, scriptures, biographies, and commentaries. The titles are listed with their respective volumes and sometimes with brief descriptions or their subject matter.

7. Content of the "Kathao" (Tales): The book contains narratives for specific Jain observances and festivals, as outlined on Page #15:

Katha 1: Story of King Pingal for Meru Trayodashi.
Katha 2: Story of Suvrat Seth for Maun Ekadashi (Silent 11th day).
Katha 3: Stories of Pundarik Gandharadi for Chaitri Poonam (Full Moon of Chaitra).
Katha 4: Stories of Rishabhdev and Shreyans Kumar for Akshay Tritiya.
Katha 5: Stories of Vardatt and Gunmanjari for Gyan Panchami (Fifth day of Knowledge).
Katha 6: Story of Surdatt Seth for Posh Dashami (Tenth day of Posh month).
Katha 7: Story of Holika for the festival of Holi.
Katha 8: Story of King Kalkiadi for Diwali.
Katha 9: Story of Queen Rohini and Prince Ashok for Rohini Tap.
Katha 10: Various stories related to vows and disciplines for Chomasi Parva.
Katha 11: Story of Prince Gajsingh for Paryushan Parva.

Detailed Summaries of Individual Tales (as per the provided pages):

Meru Trayodashi (Pages 16-25): This section narrates the story of King Anantvirya of Ayodhya, who had a son named Pingal Raja, prophesied to be lame. The story details the king's desire for a son, the prophecy from a sage, the birth of the prince, and the king's efforts to conceal his perceived deformity. It then connects Pingal's condition to his past life actions, highlighting the concept of karmic retribution. The narrative also involves King Satyarath of Brahmapur and his daughter Gun Sundari, and a merchant facilitating their betrothal. The story emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices and devotion to overcome karmic bonds, exemplified by King Pingal's eventual adherence to the Meru Trayodashi vrat.
Maun Ekadashi (Silent 11th Day) (Pages 26-34): This section details the significance of Maun Ekadashi, particularly the Margashirsh Shukla Ekadashi. Lord Krishna asks Lord Mahavir about the fruits of observing this fast. Lord Mahavir explains that this day is highly auspicious as it marks several significant events for various Tirthankaras (like initiation, attainment of omniscience, birth). Observing this day with silence, fasting, and devotion is said to yield immense merit, equivalent to performing numerous other austerities. The story of Seth Sur and his virtuous observance of Maun Ekadashi, leading to celestial rebirth, and then his subsequent life as Suvrat Seth, who further honored the festival and ultimately attained liberation, is narrated. The tale highlights the power of devotion, self-control, and adherence to religious observances.
Chaitri Poonam (Full Moon of Chaitra) (Pages 35-40): This chapter explains the significance of Chaitri Poonam, particularly in relation to Shri Shankheshwar Tirtha (Vimalachal). It recounts the stories of Nami and Vinami, the sons of Rishabhdev, who attained liberation. It then focuses on the story of Pundarik Gandhar, the chief disciple of Rishabhdev, who attained omniscience and liberation on this very day from Vimalachal, which is why the mountain is also known as Pundarikgiri. The narrative emphasizes the spiritual merits of observing this day with devotion and pilgrimage. The text also briefly touches upon the lineage of Tirthankaras and the concept of karma.
Akshaya Tritiya (Page 41): This section begins with the story of the birth of Lord Rishabhdev. It describes the celestial festivities, the naming of the Tirthankara as "Rishabh," and the establishment of the Ikshvaku dynasty by Indra. The text then mentions that Lord Rishabhdev renounced worldly pleasures after ruling for 63 lakh purva years. The most significant event on Akshaya Tritiya highlighted here is the offering of the first pure milk-based alms (Ikshurasa) to Lord Rishabhdev by Shreyans Kumar, son of King Somaysha of Gajpur. This act of pure charity is considered highly meritorious and is the reason for the festival's name, signifying eternal prosperity.
Gyan Panchami (Fifth Day of Knowledge) (Pages 45-58): This section focuses on the importance of knowledge in Jainism. It begins with a hymn emphasizing knowledge as the essence of the universe and the path to liberation. The story of Varadatt, a prince afflicted with leprosy due to past life's ignorance and disrespect towards knowledge, and Gunmanjari, a mute girl also suffering from past life actions, is narrated. Their lives are intertwined with spiritual practices and the realization that true salvation comes from embracing knowledge and adhering to Jain principles. The tale highlights the consequences of disrespecting knowledge and the transformative power of devotion to it, ultimately leading to spiritual upliftment.
Posh Dashami (Tenth Day of Posh) (Pages 59-68): This chapter elaborates on the significance of Posh Krishna Dashami, which is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Parshvanath. The story begins with Lord Mahavir explaining to Gautam Swami the importance of this day. It then recounts the tale of Surdatt Seth, a wealthy merchant who was initially misguided by Jainism but later embraced the faith and observed the Posh Dashami vrat with utmost devotion. His adherence to the vrat, despite facing significant financial and personal hardships, led to his celestial rebirth and eventual attainment of liberation. The narrative emphasizes the power of pure faith and the rewards of righteous conduct.
Holika Parva (Pages 69-84): This section addresses the festival of Holi, critically examining its traditional practices from a Jain perspective. It questions the origin and appropriateness of certain customs, labeling many as indicative of a declining era and misinterpretation of dharma. The text narrates the story of Holika, a woman who falsely claimed to be pious to manipulate a merchant for personal gain, leading to her tragic end by fire. The narrative is interwoven with explanations of how Jain practices should be observed with true understanding and devotion, rather than mere ritualistic performance. It contrasts the negative consequences of adhering to worldly desires and ignorance with the spiritual rewards of sincere adherence to Jain principles. The text also provides alternative interpretations of "Holi" as a symbolic act of burning away inner impurities through penance and devotion.
Diwali Kalpa (Pages 85-108): This section delves into the origins and significance of Diwali from a Jain perspective. It begins by recounting the story of King Samprati, who embraced Jainism after a spiritual encounter and became a great patron of the faith. The text then narrates the life of Lord Mahavir, detailing his birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and teachings. It also discusses various predictions and historical events within Jainism, including the lineage of Tirthankaras and the decline of dharma in the later eras, as foreseen by Lord Mahavir. The narrative also touches upon the Kalanaki Raja, a future king known for his tyrannical rule and the eventual decline of dharma during his reign. The section includes stories about the origins of Diwali traditions, linking them to events in the lives of various spiritual figures and emphasizing the importance of virtuous conduct and spiritual upliftment over mere materialistic celebrations.
Rohini Parva (Pages 109-112): This section narrates the story of Queen Rohini and Prince Ashok, highlighting the concept of karma and its impact on one's destiny. It describes how Rohini, despite her suffering due to past karmic actions, found solace and eventual liberation through righteous deeds and devotion. The story emphasizes the importance of adhering to dharma, even in the face of adversity, and the rewards of such perseverance.
Choumasi Parva (Pages 113-148): This is a substantial section dedicated to the observances and rituals associated with the Choumasi Parva (four-month period of religious observance). It explains the significance of various practices like Samayika (meditation/equanimity), Pratikraman (atonement), Paushadh (fasting), and Pujana (worship). The text provides detailed explanations of the rules and prohibitions associated with these practices, including the "aticharas" (infringements) of each vow. It also includes illustrative stories and examples, such as those of Damdant, Maitarya, Kalikacharya, Chitrapati's daughter, Tetliputra, and Shreyans Seth, to demonstrate the principles and benefits of these observances. The section stresses the profound spiritual merit gained by sincere adherence to these practices, leading to happiness in this life and the attainment of liberation in the hereafter.
Paryushana Parva (Pages 155-193): This is the most extensive section, focusing on the Paryushana Parva, the premier festival in Jainism. It details the various rituals and practices associated with the eight days of Paryushana. The text begins with the story of King Shrenik and his encounter with Lord Mahavir, emphasizing the importance of virtuous conduct during this sacred period. It then elaborates on the eleven key observances of Paryushana: Chaityaparipati (visiting temples), Sadhubhakti (serving monks), Kalpa Sutra Shravan (listening to the Kalpa Sutra), Jin-Pooja (worship of Jain deities), Sangha Prabhavana (spreading the glory of the Jain community), Swamivatsalya (hospitality towards the community), Amaripranadana (offering protection to all beings), Ashtam Tap (eight-day fast), Gyan Pooja (worship of knowledge), Kshama (forgiveness), and Samvatsari Pratikraman (annual atonement). The text provides detailed explanations of each observance, including their spiritual benefits and illustrative stories, such as that of King Gajsingh, who attained the status of a Tirthankara through his devotion during Paryushana. The narratives underscore the transformative power of these practices for spiritual growth and ultimate salvation.

In essence, "Paryushanparvadik Parvoni Kathao" serves as a guide and inspiration for Jains, offering detailed narratives of the festivals that are central to their spiritual life. It emphasizes the importance of devotion, ethical conduct, scriptural study, and community service as pathways to spiritual well-being and liberation. The book's extensive list of supporters and published works highlights the dedication of the Jinshasan Aradhana Trust to preserving and propagating Jain religious literature.